Tool for removing and inserting tacks

ABSTRACT

A tool for removing and inserting tacks includes an elongated handle member having a first end, a second end, and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends. The peripheral wall has a well extending therein. A rod has an insertion end for tacks and a removal end for tacks. A perimeter wall extends between the insertion and removal ends of the rod. Each of the insertion and removal ends is removably insertable into the well such that the rod is releasably coupled to the handle. A tack may be selectively inserted into a wall surface using the insertion end and selectively removed from a wall surface using the removal end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to tack insertion tools and more particularly pertains to a new tack insertion tool for removing or inserting tacks into a wall surface.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The use of tack insertion tools is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,225 describes one such device. While these types of devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that can both be used for the insertion of tacks into a wall and for the removal of tacks from a wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention meets the needs presented above by including a tool having a both a tack insertion tool and a tack removal tool.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new tack insertion tool that includes a cavity for retrievably storing a plurality of tacks.

[0007] To this end, the present invention generally comprises an elongated handle member having a first end, a second end, and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends. The peripheral wall has a well extending therein. A rod has an insertion end for tacks and a removal end for tacks. A perimeter wall extends between the insertion and removal ends of the rod. Each of the insertion and removal ends is removably insertable into the well such that the rod is releasably coupled to the handle. A tack may be selectively inserted into a wall surface using the insertion end and selectively removed from a wall surface using the removal end.

[0008] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0009] The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a tool for removing and inserting tacks according to the present invention wherein a tack is being inserted into a wall surface.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention wherein a tack is being removed from a wall surface.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along 4-4 of FIG. 2 of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the removal tool of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the insertion tool of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new tack insertion tool embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the tool for removing and inserting tacks 10 into a wall surface 8 generally comprises an elongated handle member 12 having a first end 14, a second end 16, and a peripheral wall 18 extending between the first 14 and second 16 ends. The peripheral wall 18 has a well 20 extending therein. The well 20 is positioned nearer the second end 16 that the first end 14. The well 20 has a threaded surface 22. The first end 14 has an aperture 24 extending therein. A cap 26 is selectively positionable over the aperture 24. The cap 26 has an internal threaded surface 28 adapted for threadably coupling to a threaded outer surface 30 of the peripheral wall 18 positioned adjacent to the first end 14. The aperture 24 defines a cavity for storing a plurality of tacks 6. The peripheral wall 18 has a plurality of indentations 32 therein for receiving fingers of a user of the tool 10. The indentations 32 are generally aligned along a line extending between the first 14 and second 16 ends and intersect the well 20. An arcuate ridge 34 preferably extends along the peripheral wall between the first 14 and second 16 ends. The arcuate ridge is disposed opposite of the indentations.

[0019] A rod 36 has an insertion end 38 for tacks and a removal end 40 for tacks. A perimeter wall 42 extends between the insertion 38 and removal 40 ends of the rod 36. Each of the insertion 38 and removal 40 ends is removably insertable into the well 20. The perimeter wall 42 is threaded adjacent to the insertion end 38 and the removal end 40 for threadably coupling with the threaded surface 22 of the well 20. Alternative coupling methods, such as a tension fitting or interlocking mating portions may also be used for securing the rod 36 to the handle 12. The removal end 40 has a removal tool 42 thereon and the insertion end 38 has an insertion tool 44 thereon. The insertion tool 44 includes a magnet 46 that is mounted into a depression 48 extending into the insertion end 38. The removal tool 42 includes a magnet 50 that is mounted in a depression 52 extending into the removal end 40. The removal tool 42 further includes a gripping member 54. The gripping member 54 comprises and arm 56 and a plate 58. The arm 56 is attached to and extends away from the removal end 40. The arm 56 is positioned between the depression 52 in the removal end 40 and the perimeter wall 42. The plate 58 is attached to a free end of the arm 56. The plate 58 lies in a plane orientated generally perpendicular to the arm 56 such that the plate 58 extends over and is spaced from the depression 52 in the removal end 40. The plate 58 has a slot 60 extending therein. The slot 60 extends into an edge of the plate 58 and toward the arm 56.

[0020] In use, the user first decides if a tack 6 is to be inserted or removed into a wall surface 8. In the case of insertion, the user extends the removal end 40 into the handle 12. It is preferred that a ridge 62 is formed in the well 20 for creating a space between a bottom 64 of the well 22 and the removal end 40 for positioning of the gripping member 54 therein. A head 5 of a tack 6 is placed against the magnet 46 in the depression 48 of the insertion end 38 so that the magnet 46 holds the tack 6 in place. The user then places the pin 4 of the tack 6 against the wall surface 8 and pushes the tack 6 into the wall by placing force on the handle 12. It is preferred that the depth of the depression 48 in the insertion end 38 is generally equal to thickness of a convention head 5 of a tack 6. To remove a tack, the insertion end 38 is placed in the well 20 to expose the gripping member 54. The plate 58 is slid under the head 5 of a tack 6 positioned in a wall 8 so that the pin 4 is slid into the slot 60. The handle 12 is then pulled so that the plate 58 pulls on the head 5 of the tack 6. The magnet 50 hold the tack 6 in place so that it does not fall from the tool 10 after it is removed from a wall 8.

[0021] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0022] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A device for inserting a tack into a wall surface, said device comprising: an elongated handle member having a first end, a second end, and a peripheral wall extending between said first and second ends, said peripheral wall having a well extending therein; a rod having an insertion end for tacks and a removal end for tacks, a perimeter wall extending between said insertion and removal ends of said rod, each of said insertion and removal ends being removably insertable into said well such that said rod is releasably coupled to said handle; and wherein a tack may be selectively inserted into a wall surface using said insertion end and selectively removed from a wall surface using said removal end.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said well has a threaded surface, said perimeter wall being threaded adjacent to said insertion end and said removal end for threadably coupling with said threaded surface of said well.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said first end has an aperture extending therein, a cap being selectively positionable over said aperture.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said cap has an internal threaded surface adapted for threadably coupling to a threaded outer surface of said peripheral wall positioned adjacent to said first end.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall has a plurality of indentations therein for receiving fingers of a user of said device, said indentations being generally aligned along a line extending between said first and second ends and intersecting said well.
 6. The device of claim 5, further including an arcuate ridge extending along said peripheral wall between said first and second ends, said arcuate ridge being disposed opposite of said indentations.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said removal end has a removal tool thereon and said insertion end has an insertion tool thereon, said insertion tool including a magnet being mounted in a depression extending into said insertion end.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said removal tool including a magnet being mounted in a depression extending into said removal end, said removal tool further including a gripping member attached to said removal end.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein said gripping member includes an arm being attached to and extending away from said removal end, said arm being positioned between said depression in said removal end and said perimeter wall, a plate being attached to a free end of said arm, said plate lying in a plane orientated generally perpendicular to said arm such that said plate extends over and is spaced from said depression in said removal end, said plate having a slot extending therein, said slot extending into an edge of said plate and toward said arm.
 10. A device for inserting a tack into a wall surface, said device comprising: an elongated handle member having a first end, a second end, and a peripheral wall extending between said first and second ends, said peripheral wall having a well extending therein, said well being positioned nearer said second end that said first end, said well having a threaded surface, said first end having an aperture extending therein, a cap being selectively positionable over said aperture, said cap having an internal threaded surface adapted for threadably coupling to a threaded outer surface of said peripheral wall positioned adjacent to said first end, said peripheral wall having a plurality of indentations therein for receiving fingers of a user of said device, said indentations being generally aligned along a line extending between said first and second ends and intersecting said well, an arcuate ridge extending along said peripheral wall between said first and second ends, said arcuate ridge being disposed opposite of said indentations; a rod having an insertion end for tacks and a removal end for tacks, a perimeter wall extending between said insertion and removal ends of said rod, each of said insertion and removal ends being removably insertable into said well, said perimeter wall being threaded adjacent to said insertion end and said removal end for threadably coupling with said threaded surface of said well, said removal end having a removal tool thereon, said insertion end having an insertion tool thereon, said insertion tool including a magnet being mounted in a depression extending into said insertion end, said removal tool including a magnet being mounted in a depression extending into said removal end, said removal tool further including a gripping member, said gripping member including an arm being attached to and extending away from said removal end, said arm being positioned between said depression in said removal end and said perimeter wall, a plate being attached to a free end of said arm, said plate lying in a plane orientated generally perpendicular to said arm such that said plate extends over and is spaced from said depression in said removal end, said plate having a slot extending therein, said slot extending into an edge of said plate and toward said arm; and wherein a head of a tack may be positioned in said depression in said insertion end such that a pin of said tack extends away from said insertion end, and wherein a pin of a tack may be positioned in said slot such that the head of the tack is positioned between said plate and said removal end. 